Aston Rowant captain David Ridgley said losing by just two runs made their npower Village Cup exit harder to take.

That was the margin as Rowant were beaten at Miskin Manor, near Cardiff in the last 16 on Sunday.

Having bowled their Welsh hosts out for 196, Rowant finished agonisingly short on 194-8.

“We would rather have been thrashed out of sight than come so close,” said Ridgley.

“It is always harder to take that way.

“We looked to be timing the innings quite nicely when Chris Watling and Paul Plumridge were at the crease.

“We have gained a lot of experience from this run and I think we will be a better side for it. Hopefully, in the years to come we will have other chances.”

Rowant had looked well set at 157-3, but could not quite get over the finish line.

Ridgley added: “I think we should have won it. We would have won nine times out of ten if we played it again.

“There were quite a few incidents, which didn’t go in our favour.

“We consider ourselves very unlucky, but that’s the way it goes.

“It was a small ground and the wicket was on one side of the square.

“The way they started, it looked like they would get 220 plus. We did well to rein them back.

“I was quite happy to chase that score.

“It just goes to show that every run counts.”